SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Mexico will play New Zealand for a spot in next years World Cup despite losing 2-1 at Costa Rica on Tuesday night. The Mexicans advanced to the home-and-home series when the United States rallied with two late goals to win at Panama. That kept Mexico in fourth place at the conclusion of the CONCACAF final qualifying round with only 11 points, three ahead of Panama, which would have advanced by holding off the Americans. Mexico will host the first leg on Nov. 13 or 14 and play at New Zealand on Nov. 20. The Mexicans have made every World Cup since they were disqualified from the 1990 tournament for using an overage player at a youth event, but they sure cut it close this time. Goals by Brian Ruiz in the first half and Alvaro Saborio in the second gave Costa Rica the win. The Ticos already had qualified for Brazil 2014 and wound up second to the United States in the round. Oribe Peralta scored in the 29th minute for Mexico, which won only two games in the 10-game finals. One of those victories came last Friday night against Panama in the first match for new coach Victor Manuel Vucetich, and that was the difference for El Tri. "We thought that we were out," Peralta said. Still, Mexico could be hard-pressed to beat the Kiwis and get to Brazil, especially if it cant find some offence. In 10 games, the Mexicans scored seven goals. "Weve got to reflect, and we have to do whatever it takes to make it to the World Cup," Peralta added. "Things are not working as we wish." Ruiz put Costa Rica in front with a brilliant move, heading the ball to himself in the penalty area, then whipping his left leg around for a shot from 12 yards that goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa had no chance of stopping. But four minutes later, Mexico struck. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez broke free and was about to put the ball into the net when diving keeper Keylor Navas barely touched it away. But the ball went directly to Peralta, who sent it into the unguarded cage. With rain coming down for most of the second half, particularly late in the match, each side pressed for another goal. Costa Rica got it, putting Mexico on the verge of elimination, when Saborio was left alone in front of the net to powerfully head home a feed from the right wing by Christian Gamboa. El Tri pressed for a tying goal, couldnt find it, but was saved, ironically, by the U.S. rally in Panama. Lineups: Mexico--Guillermo Ochoa; Hugo Ayala, Jorge Torres (Isaac Brizuela, 74th), Miguel Layun, Rafael Marquez; Oribe Peralta, Jesus Zavala, Christian Arevalo, Carlos Pena; Javier Aguino (Giovani Dos Santos, 66th), Javier Hernandez (Raul Jimenez, 60th). Costa Rica--Keylor Navas; Michael Umana, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Johnny Acosta, Bryan Oviedo, Christian Gamboa; Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda (Jose Cubero, 72nd) Christian Bolanos; Joel Campbell (Michael Barrantes, 77th), Bryan Ruiz (Alvaro Saborio, 49th). St.Louis Blues Shirts . -- The Sacramento Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have completed a buyout of his contract, clearing the way for the former BYU sensation to become a free agent. St.Louis Blues Gear . Two-time Olympic bronze medallists Savchenko and Szolkowy received 79.02 points to finish ahead of world bronze medallists Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada, who had 77.01 points. https://www.cheapblues.com/ . Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stood tall with 41 saves between the pipes, but it was defenceman Ryan McDonagh who got the first star of the game as he had a goal and an assist and now has two goals and four assists for six points in two games. Blues Jerseys 2020 . Although the deal cannot be made official until the free agent moratorium period is lifted on July 10, Patterson has agreed to a three-year, $18 million extension to remain in Toronto, sources confirm to TSN. St.Louis Blues Pro Shop . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday.PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Michelle Wie has a finger injury that forced her to withdraw from LPGA Championship next week at Monroe Golf Club and will sideline her at three to five weeks. IMG Golf said Saturday that Wie has a stress reaction in a bone in her right index finger. The U.S. Womens Open champion withdrew from the Meijer LPGA Classic on Thursday in Michigan after playing nine holes in the first round. IMG said she was examined by hand surgeon Dr. Tom Graham of the Cleveland Clinic. "I was looking forward to playing the next three weeks," Wie said in the statement released by IMG. "Its honestly one of my favourite stretches on tour. Its extremely disappointing to miss these events, but I am relieved to have a proper diagnosis." Graham also worked with Wie in 2007 when she broke her wrist. He said that injuries of this severity typically require about three too five weeks of limited practice and play before returning to competition.dddddddddddd "Michelle has developed an acute-on-chronic injury influenced by the volume in which she practices and plays," Graham said. "Michelle is very aware of her body and was keen to pick up on this injury before it may have created a more severe problem." Wie won the U.S. Womens Open on June 22 for her second victory of the year and fourth on the LPGA Tour. She also will miss the Canadian Womens Open on Aug. 21-24, an event she won in 2010. "Seven years ago, I would have tried to play through this injury and it is important to me not to make that mistake again," Wie said. "I feel more comfortable now listening to my body and, while its hard to miss this stretch of events, I know I will be better suited to continue a great year and finish strong." ' ' '